Birch is credited with introducing Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich to Chelsea during his time as chief executive at Stamford Bridge and how Leeds fans would love to see him find another mega-rich benefactor to come to the ailing Yorkshire side's rescue.

Leeds are &#xA3;78m in debt and recently announced a British club record &#xA3;50m loss for the last financial year, which when allied to the fact United are propping up the Premiership, the club's plight makes for grim reading.

Leeds are due to announce a radical restructure of their debts this week following detailed talks with the American bondholders, to whom they owe almost &#xA3;60m, and a Guernsey-based finance company who helped fund a number of player purchases such as Mark Viduka and Dominic Matteo, with the club owing a further &#xA3;21m.

Whether that will help Leeds find anything in the kitty for Gordon Strachan remains to be seen as the &#xA3;1m compensation fee being mentioned for the Southampton boss is beyond their means should he wish to join them.

Leeds are already paying close to &#xA3;7m in severance payments to former bosses David O'Leary, Terry Venables and Peter Reid, the trio being paid for the remainder of the contracts they signed during their time with the Whites.

There remains the interest of Sheikh Abdul din Mubarak Al-Khalifa, a Leeds fan and oil-rich member of Bahrain's ruling dynasty, who has already pledged &#xA3;2.2m - in return for new shares - to help out United.

If Al-Khalifa could be persuaded to provide further funds then Leeds could find a solution to the problems, although Birch remains confident they will be resolved one way or another.

"You have to look at the positive advantages the club has, starting with the wonderful supporter base," said an optimistic Birch.

"Add to that the club's history and tradition, and the fact that it is the only club in one of the richest and most vibrant cities in the country, and you know there will be a solution."